document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=442439>Question 442439</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> (1)/ (x-1) + (1)/ (2) = (2) / (x^2 -1)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Algebra problem I am trying to help my daughter with, but I can't make it work out.  Please help so I can explain, thanks. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #305154 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=305154\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> (1)/ (x-1) + (1)/ (2) = (2) / (x^2 -1) \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply thru by 2(x^2-1) to get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2(x+1) + x^2-1 = 2*2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "2x+2+x^2-1 = 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 + 2x + 1 = 4<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x^2 + 2x -3 = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Factor:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x+3)(x-1) = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = -3 or x = 1<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "But x cannot be 1 as that would make 2 of<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the original fractions undefined.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So the only solution is x = -3<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Checking<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(1)/ (x-1) + (1)/ (2) = (2) / (x^2 -1)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "1/(-3-1) + 1/2 = 2/(9-1)<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-1/4 + 1/2 = 1/4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1/4 = 1/4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "====================<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
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